Blake Hillman

Last updated

Blake Hillman
Born (1996-01-26) January 26, 1996 (age 29)
Elk River, Minnesota, U.S.
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 182 lb (83 kg; 13 st 0 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Left
AHL team
Former teams
Hartford Wolf Pack
Chicago Blackhawks
NHL draft 173rd overall, 2016
Chicago Blackhawks
Playing career 2018present

Blake Hillman (born January 26, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who plays for the Hartford Wolf Pack in the American Hockey League (AHL). Hillman was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the sixth round, 173rd overall, in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. [1]

Contents

Playing career

Hillman played two seasons in the USHL with the Dubuque Fighting Saints and Waterloo Black Hawks, [2] before attending the University of Denver. [3] Hillman played three years at the University of Denver where he was a member of the 2017 NCAA Champion Denver Pioneers. [4] Hillman was drafted in the sixth round, 173rd overall, in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

At the end of his junior year, Hillman signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Blackhawks on March 27, 2018, [1] and made his NHL debut on March 30, 2018, in a game between the Blackhawks and the Colorado Avalanche. [5] Hillman recorded his first career NHL goal on April 4, 2018, in a game against the St. Louis Blues, to help the Blackhawks win 4–3. [6]

As an impending restricted free agent, Hillman was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Blackhawks, releasing him as a free agent on June 25, 2019. [7] With limited interest from NHL/AHL clubs, Hillman signed a one-year contract with the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL on July 26, 2019. [8] In the 2019–20 season, Hillman contributed with 13 points through 35 regular season games with the Walleye, while also leaving on loan on two occasions by signing two tryout contracts in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins and Stockton Heat.

On January 20, 2021, Hillman extended his professional career by signing with the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL for the 2020–21 season. [9]

Following the 2021–22 season, having played with the Toledo Walleye in the ECHL and the Grand Rapids Griffins, Providence Bruins in the AHL, Hillman was signed to a one-year AHL contract with the Hartford Wolf Pack on July 6, 2022. [10]

International play

Hillman represented Team USA at the 2014 World Junior A Challenge where he helped Team USA win their 6th gold medal. [2]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2011–12 Elk River High USHS 25246820000
2012–13Elk River HighUSHS2421214820222
2013–14 Dubuque Fighting Saints USHL 57310132470000
2014–15 Dubuque Fighting SaintsUSHL42381112
2014–15 Waterloo Black Hawks USHL130776
2015–16 University of Denver NCHC 39381114
2016–17 University of DenverNCHC4317818
2017–18 University of DenverNCHC41391252
2017–18 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 41010
2018–19 Rockford IceHogs AHL 5413420
2019–20 Toledo Walleye ECHL 35112138
2019–20 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL50114
2019–20 Stockton Heat AHL70002
2020–21 South Carolina Stingrays ECHL43381112120112
2021–22 Toledo WalleyeECHL13211132131676
2021–22 Grand Rapids GriffinsAHL100222
2021–22 Providence Bruins AHL20077610000
2022–23 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL290551472242
2023–24 Hartford Wolf PackAHL60411166101232
2024–25 Hartford Wolf PackAHL50371012
NHL totals41010

References

  1. 1 2 Knowles, Joe. "Defenseman Blake Hillman signs with Blackhawks, will join team immediately". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  2. 1 2 "25 - Blake Hillman". denverpioneers.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  3. "Saints Defenseman Commits to University of Denver". ushl.com. January 14, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  4. "Blake Hillman Signs with Chicago Blackhawks". denverpioneers.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  5. "DU product Blake Hillman makes NHL debut for Blackhawks in Denver". The Denver Post. March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  6. Thomas, Jim (April 4, 2018). "Late Chicago goal defeats Blues 4-3". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  7. "Blackhawks part ways with 4 minor-leaguers". Chicago Sun Times. June 25, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  8. "Former Blackhawks defenseman Blake Hillman inks contract". Toledo Walleye. July 26, 2019. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  9. ECHL (January 20, 2021). "Stingrays add defenseman Hillman". Twitter . Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  10. "Wolf Pack sign Blake Hillman and Ryan Lohin to AHL deals". Hartford Wolf Pack. July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022.